If you wish to use NMAI images for a school paper or project where only a single copy will be produced, you may use images on this website without charge. However, we ask that you provide the following credit line: Courtesy, National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution [catalog number].

For all other uses, permission is required for reproducing an NMAI image in publications, exhibits, websites, etc. You MUST have an invoice from the NMAI Photo Archives, signed by both parties, in order to have permission to publish. Please consult our Terms and Conditions of Use.

For other uses of NMAI images (e.g., in a publication, exhibit, or website, etc.), fees are charged for both (1) a copy of the image itself and (2) permission to use the image:

1. Cost for obtaining a copy of an image

Non-commercial

Commercial

Tiff file from new scan

$30.00

$75.00

Tiff file from an existing image scan / object photograph

$20.00

$50.00

Jpeg file from existing scan

$7.50

n/a

Record image from collection database written to CD/DVD (per image)

$1.00

$2.00

Media

CD $4.00 DVD $8.00

n/a

Images can be sent either on a CD/DVD or uploaded to an FTP site. To place an order for images, please contact the Photo Archives department.

2. Permission fees for use of an image

Non-commercial

Commercial

Black & white image

$50.00

$200.00

Color image

$75.00

$285.00

Should you wish to have new photography done of an object in the NMAI collections, shooting fees per object are $100 (non-commercial) and $200 (commercial). Additional views of the same object incur a 40% charge per view. Turnaround time on new photography requests depends on NMAI schedules, but you should plan on at least 4-6 weeks from receipt of payment in advance. To order new photography, please contact the Photo Archives department.